An outstanding resume is a critical component of a successful job search and career development strategy, but – as I have written about several times now – it is just a piece of the puzzle. Read more
Q: Your post on fulfillment really got me. The thing is, many people (including me) don’t have that luxury. It’s tough enough to make ends meet. Don’t you think a lot more people are going to have to be satisfied by simply having a job?
A: I understand what you are saying and am not blind to the reality of our economy and the employment landscape. I think your question can best be addressed by a something I wrote a while back…
We live in a time where, out of necessity it seems that many people have to take jobs that “pay the bills.” The number of people I meet in unfulfilling jobs is alarming. It’s a sign of the times and a sign of how quickly the reality of the world’s economy is changing.
Unfortunately, though, there’s a huge price to pay when that’s the case. For one, unless you’re feeling fulfilled and in sync, that little voice in your head will always be nagging you – reminding you that you aren’t feeling so hot about your career. There’s a solution, though, that helps to quiet that nagging voice. Pursue fulfillment.
You see, if you are at the very least pursuing your purpose, you are “on purpose” and the voice is dulled. Many people view the job dilemma as an either/or sort of thing. You’re happy or you’re not. That’s what keeps people from taking steps forward. Tiny steps, even, that get them closer and closer to feeling in sync.
Fulfilling work that will resonate with you is within your reach. It starts by taking one step at a time. I’ve worked hard – and even faced a career refocusing – to become an expert and to differentiate myself within the field of Human Resources and Career Development. It wasn’t always easy, and I could have chosen to stay in upwardly mobile but ultimately unfulfilling jobs from my previous career track. My life is much richer all the way around because of the career shift I pursued.
The economy is not great and the world of work will is not likely to return to the way it was several years ago. I urge you, though, to get on top of your career and make work work for you. Settling is simply not worth it – no matter the state of the economy.
If you follow this blog, you know that I like to share answers to the most frequent questions that come through my inbox. One of the most common questions I get asked is, “What can I do to make my job search successful?” Read more
If you have recently interviewed and have not heard anything, you are probably hoping that this post will tell you a very specific period of time to wait before following up after an interview. Unfortunately, there is only one way to know for certain, and the answer can only come from the potential employer.
You have to ask during the interview.
I could tell you “two weeks,” but that could create a problem for two reasons. Firstly, many employers are taking many months to select candidates. If you follow-up after two weeks, they may consider this far too early. “We aren’t even done interviewing candidates,” they may think. Alternately, many companies are expediting the hiring process. Wait two weeks and you may just be too late.
The only way to know when to follow up is to ask during the interview. “What does your process look like?” is a very easy question that should provide you with some understanding about the company’s timeline. It’s also a killer question because it shows 1) your interest 2) your respect for process 3) your desire to be prepared (should there be multiple rounds of interviews, etc.).
Make today the day you decide to pursue professional development. The day you decide to live from a place of commitment – not comfort or fear. Read more
A colleague just told me that 29 states have seen recent drops in unemployment. Woohoo! Read more
Q. I read a lot about the importance of having a professional social media presence. This makes sense if you are in marketing or PR, but I can’t imagine any reason why a social profile would be of any use in, say, science and academic positions. Read more
Today, I have a big announcement. But first, some backstory….
One of the hallmarks of Tandem’s services – what I believe is a huge differentiator – is a commitment to creating a “best in class” experience. That means, in addition to staying on top of what’s going on in the world of Human Resources and Career Development, I want to ensure that I am always providing the highest quality, most relevant services and tools.
Over the years that has meant regularly refining my approach to HR consulting – striving to offer the tools and advice that can help to make organizations the best employers that they can be. On the Career Development / Resume Writing side, it has meant continually tweaking my process so that it provides the most value for individuals on a quest to find and maintain fulfilling careers. It’s about a lot more than a new resume, and clients love it.
Any top-notch HR professional will tell you that a resume is a critical piece of the job search puzzle, but only one piece. Much to some client’s surprise, I am constantly saying that an outstanding resume is only a prerequisite, a starting point, a foundation. It’s the beginning of what should a be a multi-pronged approach that moves you from “looking for a job” to “managing a career.”
With all of that texture in place, I am happy to announce a significant new feature that will make Tandem’s process even more valuable.
I recently completed a guide: Beyond an Outstanding Resume. The guide is a way of providing clients with an outline and some specific tools for managing a multi-faceted career management approach that goes beyond submitting resumes and crossing fingers. The guide provides 12 steps that, when completed, will lead to more job search success and, ultimately, career fulfillment.
It gives client suggestions and tools beyond an outstanding resume that will help to fuel professional development. Of course the list isn’t all inclusive – there are certainly more than 12 ideas that might be appropriate. However, based on my experience, I believe that the twelve activities in the guide make a powerful combination. Ideally, clients will focus on tackling one new activity each week for a total of twelve weeks. Naturally, though, you can progress at whatever speed you’d like.
Do you need help getting your resume and/or career back on track? NOW is the time to get in touch!
I get a lot of questions about whether or not certifications and professional affiliations really add value and whether or not they make an individual a more attractive job candidate. Like so many areas in the world of employment and career development, the answer is un-satisfyingly vague… It all depends. Read more
I was just reading, in Money magazine, that it’s a good idea to invest in your career development. Of course, I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly. The more “on purpose” we are in all aspects of life, the more fulfilled we’ll be. Read more
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